Subscribe

0

Autosport

'Jokers being jokers' - Fans slam Ferrari after Charles Leclerc's bizarre car failure put him at P10 in Austria

Charles Leclerc’s aspirations for a strong performance in the Austrian Sprint Qualifying were thwarted by technical issues, marking a significant setback for Ferrari.

author-image
Shubham Shekhar
New Update
Charles Leclerc in his Ferrari

Charles Leclerc (Source: X)

Listen to this article
0.75x 1x 1.5x
00:00 / 00:00

Charles Leclerc’s aspirations for a strong performance in the Austrian Sprint Qualifying were thwarted by technical issues, marking a significant setback for Ferrari. As the Formula 1 paddock gathered in Austria, anticipation was high, with a major title battle shaping up between two leading drivers.

Ferrari, aiming to rebound from recent underwhelming results, faced yet another challenge as Leclerc's car encountered critical problems. During the final phase of Sprint Qualifying (SQ3), Leclerc’s engine unexpectedly shut off at the pit lane exit, abruptly ending his session.

Here is the video:

 

This incident was particularly disheartening for Ferrari, which had shown promising form during practice sessions and was poised for a competitive showing. Advancing to SQ3 had raised hopes for a top-three finish, but the unforeseen engine issue derailed these plans.

As Leclerc left his pit box, the engine failure cost him precious time and ultimately positioned him 10th for the sprint race. The timing of the malfunction, occurring just as he was set to start his lap, left him unable to post a competitive time. This placed both rival cars ahead of him, compounding Ferrari’s challenges.

Anti-stall procedure hurt Charles Leclerc!

Expressing his frustration over the radio, Leclerc was informed by his engineer that an anti-stall procedure was to blame. However, Leclerc pointed out that his engine had completely shut off, which is not typical of an anti-stall situation. This malfunction not only hindered his immediate performance but also raised concerns about potential reliability issues moving forward.

Ferrari’s troubles extended beyond Leclerc’s car. Teammate Carlos Sainz also faced a difficult qualifying session, barely managing to stay ahead of a second rival car. Sainz reported oversteer issues with the SF-24 and expressed confusion about his car’s performance during the lap.

In the wake of these setbacks, Ferrari is now focused on damage control during the sprint race. With Leclerc’s compromised starting position, there is a risk of losing valuable points in the drivers’ championship.

Meanwhile, fans take a dig at Ferrari after the issue:  

Formula 1 Charles Leclerc Ferrari Austrian Grand Prix